Are mobile phones changing social networks? A longitudinal study of core networks in Kerala

Abstract

Mobile telephony has diffused more rapidly than any Indian technology in recent memory, yet systematic studies of its impact are rare, focusing on technological rather than social change. We employ network surveys of separate groups of Kerala residents in 2002 and again in 2007 to examine recent shifts in mobile usage patterns and social relationships. Results show (1) near saturation of mobiles among both the professionals 392 new media & society 13 (3) and nonprofessionals sampled, (2) a decrease in the number of social linkages across tie types and physical locations, and (3) a shift towards friends and family but away from work relationships in the core networks of Malayalis. We interpret these findings as support for the bounded solidarity thesis of remote communication that emphasizes social insulation and network closure as mobiles shield individuals from their wider surroundings.

The Role of Open Educational Resources (OERs) in Primary Education in Developing Nations: A Case Study of India

“…This is also the case of India, where despite the infrastructural provisions being made by the government, such issues persist in limiting educational growth (Ally & Samaka, 2013;Frehywot et al, 2013;Nambeesan, 1996). Simultaneously, however, mobile owners and internet users have been steadily rising in all developing nations, with large number of users on social networking platforms (Palackal et al, 2011;Singh & Gill, 2015). The potential of this shift is not lost on the case study organizations that see themselves at the front line of the provision of education into the future.…”

“…Ensuring equitable access to education is however a challenge for many developing countries due to cost, infrastructure (Harttgen, Klasen & Misselhorn, 2010;Ally & Samaka, 2013) and lack of sufficient distribution channels (Baral, 2012). Scholarly works underline the need for identifying alternate and innovative solutions for distribution (Luo & TamisLeMonda, 2017;Subba Rao, 2004) such as partnerships (Nari Kahle et al, 2013;Xavier, Raja & Nandhini, 2008) and particularly online platforms (West, 2012) since the use of technological devices and services is growing (Potnis, 2016;Kumar & Thapa 2015;Palackal et al, 2011;Singh & Gill, 2015). OERs have the potential to use all these options to achieve distribution and in particular, they offer the possibility for offline use of materials (Oyedemi, 2015;Darries, 2004), in the form of low-resolution freely downloadable and printable materials (Mitra & Rana, 2001;Mehta & Shree, 2015).…”

A social network perspective on ICT and urban travel

“…When ICT is discussed in relation to the developing world, scholars emphasize the importance of mobile telephony, because it provides connectivity, rather than mobility (Palackal et al, 2011). This chapter focuses on mobile and landline phones also because it provides us with a proxy for travel costs versus usage costs for individuals in the city of Ahmedabad.…”

“…These findings seem to indicate that a larger social network doesn't necessarily mean a higher number of physical trips. According to Palackal et al (2011) people seem to be capable of maintaining large social networks by reducing contact frequency.…”

“…i.e. family is assumed to be a strong tie (Palackal et al, 2011) while acquaintance is considered as a weak tie. In case of egocentric networks tie strength is measured only from the ego perspective, for both ego-alter pairs and alter-alter pairs.…”